3 Summer Septic System Hacks to Keep Things Flushing Smoothly

Summertime is here and in New York that means hot, humid days, sprinkler fun and summer storms that can drop inches of rain in just a short period of time. If you have a septic system the excess water can quickly saturate your drainfield so today we're sharing three simple tips for keeping your septic system healthy this summer to avoid unexpected problems or a sudden septic backup. Contact us today to schedule septic service or keep reading to learn more!

We recommend every household with a septic tank have it pumped every 2-3 years, in fact, some areas have ordinances on how often you have your tank cleaned out. Check with your county or township to find out if you live in such an area. If you've recently purchased a home with a septic system and you're not sure when the tank was last pumped, we recommend you schedule a site visit for us to perform a septic inspection and pump out the tank if necessary. During a routine site inspection, we'll make sure all components are working properly and go over the ins and outs of your septic system so you're knowledgeable of the tank, drainfield, and where each part is located.

In the Twin Tiers region, we've experienced some very wet summers in recent years. Your drainfield is designed to handle a certain amount of water, and when it becomes fully saturated by rain, sprinklers or pools, you may need to stagger your water usage. Outdoor activities like watering your grass, filling the pool or running the sprinkler require the largest amounts of water so we recommend you space out you space out your activities if possible. When it comes to indoor water usage, laundry and showers are the largest contributors to your septic tank. Try to do a load or two at a time, compared to five loads in one day to avoid overwhelming your septic tank. If your kiddos want to play in the sprinkler, place it somewhere in the yard that's away from your septic system and drainfield so it doesn't become soggy. Simply be mindful of your water use, especially when there's lots of rain in the forecast - your drainfield will thank you! 

Summertime means lots of home projects - painting, power washing, gardening and canning. It might be easy to rinse things out in the laundry tub or mess sink, but before you do, make sure you're not sending harsh chemicals, paint thinner or other manmade products straight to your septic tank. Your septic tank requires a healthy balance of bacteria to break down solid waste and keep things working properly. Excess grease, cleaners, sulfates or toxins can ruin the balance of healthy bacteria and cause sludge to build up. To learn more about the workings of your septic system, click here.

If you stay up to date on your septic system maintenance and treat your septic system with care, the same way you would any other major utility, you're likely to have an event-free summer. Should you run into a backup or a septic emergency due to excess storm water or sludge buildup, we offer 24/7 service. That's right, we are on call, even on nights and weekends. Contact us and we'll help troubleshoot your problem or meet you on site to pump your tank or open up clogged lines.

Are you due for routine septic pumping or want to set up an inspection? Contact us today for all of your septic service needs. We provide professional septic service in Elmira, Corning, Big Flats, Hector, Watkins and the surrounding Twin Tiers region.